
5.
Whom did Obadiah meet by the. way? Recognizing Elijah, how
did he show respect to the prophet? Verse 7: '
6.
What did Elijah command Obadiah to do? What did Obadiah
fear? How did he express his objections? Verses 8-14.
7.
What promise did Elijah make to Obadiah? As Ahab heard Elijah
was near, what did he do? Verses 15, 16.
8.
On meeting Elijah, how did Ahab greet him? What was Elijah's
response? Verses 17, 18.
NOTE.—"It is natural for the wrongdoer to hold the messengers of
God responsible for the calamities that come as: the sure result of a de-
parture from the way of righteousness. Those who place themselves in
Satan's power are unable to see things as God sees them. When the
mirror of truth is held up before them, they become indignant at the
thought of receiving reproof. Blinded by sin, they refuse to repent; they
feel that God's servants have turned against them, and are worthy of
severest censure. Standing in conscious innocence before Ahab, Elijah
makes no attempt to excuse himself or to flatter the king. Nor does he
seek to evade the king's wrath by the good news that the drought is
almost over. He has no apology to offer. Indignant, and jealous for
the honor of God, he casts back the imputation of Ahab, fearlessly de-
claring to the king that it is his sins, and the sins of his fathers, that have
brought upon Israel this terrible calamity. . . .- True love seeks first the
honor of God and the salvation, of souls. Those who have this love will
not evade the truth to save themselves from the unpleasant results of
plain speaking. When souls are in peril, God's ministers will not con-
sider self, but will speak the word given them to speak, refusing to excuse
or palliate evil."—Id., pp. 139-141.
9.
What command did Elijah give to Ahab? How fully did Ahab
carry out this instruction? Verses 19, 20.
NOTE.—"The command was issued by one who seemed to stand in
the very presence of Jehovah ; and Ahab obeyed at once, as if the prophet
were monarch, and the king a subject. Swift messengers were sent
throughout the kingdom with the summons to meet Elijah and the
prophets of Baal and Ashtoreth."—Id., p. 143.
' 10. What question did Elijah put to the congregation of Israel?
What was the attitude of the people? Verse 21.
NOTE.—"Unashamed, unterrified, the prophet stands before the
multitude, fully aware of his commission to execute the divine com-
mand. His countenance is lighted with an awful solemnity. In anxious
expectancy the people wait for him to speak. Looking first upon the
broken-down altar of Jehovah, and then upon the multitude, Elijah cries
out in clear, trumpetlike tones : 'How long halt ye between two opinions9
if the Lord [Jehovah] be God, follow Him : but if Baal, then follow him.'
The people answer him not a word. Not one in that vast assembly dare
reveal loyalty to Jehovah. Like a dark cloud, deception and blindness
had overspread Israel. Not all at once had this fatal apostasy closed
about them, but gradually, as from time to time they had failed to heed
the words of warning and reproof that the Lord sent them. Each depar-
ture from rightdoing, each refusal to repent, had deepened their guilt, •
and driven them farther from heaven."—Id., p. 147.
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